The Man in the Mask

This is the mask that was made for Jim before he started radiation. He wore it every day when he went for treatment. It is made of a mesh material that was originally wet and pliable. Like volleyball netting or a strange pasta. It was molded over his face, neck and shoulders, then left to set, removed from his body to dry. Then it was mounted on a metal frame. For treatment, he was laid out on his back on a metal table. This "cage" was put over his face and bolted down to the steel table to keep his head immobiliized. If you are claustrophobic, ask for a different treatment!



Today passed with spurts of energy -- some vaccuming action and some bathroom cleaning -- followed by extreme fatigue and naps. Whatever he wants to do is fine. I talked to his regular physician this morning about the blood tests Jim had yesterday to check on his kidney function. Numbers are coming down. A BIG relief. He won't have any further blood work done for about a month, before he sees the oncologist. Meanwhile, tomorrow he gets another Procrit injection to spur the bone marrow on to greater production of red blood cells.

I went off to Sacramento this afternoon to do a bit of shopping. When I left, Jim was asleep. When I returned an hour later he was up and about, but soon thereafter fell asleep again sitting on the couch. After dinner (mine) we went out for a short stroll,  always a good sign that he has a bit of energy to spare. As I noted earlier, all the docs have said that fatigue is the biggest problem AND that exercise is the best curative. So we are two for two.